Sometimes the planets align in a certain way and you are pointed in a new direction. On this occasion two things occurred. First, I was able to acquire a large number of Seven Years War Minifigs, all unpainted, but sufficient to make up reasonably sized British and French armies. The second occurrence was the purchase of this:
I have been after a copy of Charge for years and last week a nice clean copy arrived in the post. This has given me the inspiration to have a go at the Seven Years War.
Now my knowledge of this period would barely fill a postage stamp, but with Charge providing the basis for some simple rules and lots of background reading, I am beginning to make sense of things.
I do not plan to have the huge battalions used in Charge or Grant's book the Wargame, but I intend to use much of their systems.
To get things rolling, I have decided to test paint a unit. First off is this British line Regiment:
Only 31 more battalions to paint!
Hi Bob,
ReplyDeleteThey look splendid and you will really enjoy reading Charge! I have the Ken Trotman softback version but am really keen to get a decent hardback version. There was one on eBay but the dustjacket was ripped to pieces.
Really pleased to see those figures with a coat of paint - gloss varnished with an old school charm.
Fantastic work!
All the best,
DC
Hi David, it is a really good book to read, written in a light hearted style - one that I have been after for ages. I am pleased with how the infantry turned out. Given me encouragement to paint some more.
DeleteMy poor old copy is nearly 50 years old but still serves well.
ReplyDeleteIts worth noting that in his foreward to Grant's rules Young acknowledges that Charge! was really designed around the late 18thC and Napoleonic warfare despite the use of many SYW minis in the illustrations.
As for adjusting unit strengths, Lawford himself did so in volume in Knight's series for wargamers (Vittoria perhaps?) used small battalions with the Charge! rules. Stuart Asquith does the same. They are very flexible.
I did not realise that Charge was based upon the Napoleonic period. I shall keep that in mind. I will need to find a decent copy of the Wargame now!
DeleteReagrding unit sizes, as firing etc seems to be based upon the numbers of figures in the unit, it should all scale down quite nicely.
Great figures and start to a fascinating project. I look forward to seeing it develop.
ReplyDeleteThanks. The results have given me the incentive to make progress.
DeleteMinifigs 7YW figures are very nice, especially with Old Skool paint jobs. I still have a copy of Model Soldier magazine from 1978 which has pics and a simple set of rules. One day....
ReplyDeleteHi Jeffers, these Minifigs do indeed seem to take gloss paints in a simple style quite well.
DeleteCharge is a wonderful book. I am using the rules with my classic Napoleonic collection. I just love the figure vs figure melee rules.
ReplyDeleteMy bought my copy for 55 shillings from Tradition in Piccadilly.
Hi Mark, 55 shillings was quite a lot of money in those days - My first salary was £11 per week! Worth every penny though, if it has given you pleasure all these years.
DeleteI bought my copy of 'Charge!' in 1975. Unfortunately, the dust jacket disintegrated long, long ago. It never was very robust.
ReplyDeleteThe previous owner of my version applied a sticky plastic cover to my copy, so the dust jacket is in good order.
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing how many of us wargamers have a copy on our shelves.
A great period for wargaming - I hope you enjoy it. Mr Asquith is indeed a great fan of Charge!, and has no trouble adapting them for smaller units:
ReplyDeletesee here
and here"
Hi Keith. I took a look at your great blog via the two links. I have pinched a copy of your Charge rules for AWI and will try these in due course.
DeleteI really love that 'Old School' Napoleonic game that you played with Warrior figures. It was relly what inspired me to build up my Warrior Peninsular forces.
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